Jan. 6, 2011

Final Stats

UT-Permian Basin edged Texas A&M International University 76-75 in an overtime thriller on Thursday night at the TAMIU Kinesiology and Convocation Building. The contest was the Heartland Conference opener for both teams.

TAMIU (10-5, 0-1 Heartland) had trouble finding an offensive rhythm all night but nonetheless fought back from a 59-48 deficit with only 61 seconds left to tie the score 65-65 in regulation play. Ryan McLucas sent the game into overtime with a 3-pointer from the left side of the arc at the buzzer.

UTPB (7-6, 1-0) led by three points twice in the overtime period but the Dustdevils would take a 74-73 lead on a jumper by Evan Matteson at the 1:13 mark. Armando Brito made one of two free throws with 27 seconds remaining to stretch the lead to 75-73.

Elijah Jordan nailed a 3-pointer on UTPB's next possession to give the Falcons a 76-75 lead with 14 seconds on the clock. TAMIU had an opportunity for a game-winning basket but Brito's attempted reverse lay-up with seconds remaining was forced straight up into the air without drawing iron.

Luís Gómez made five 3-pointers and led TAMIU with 23 points. McLucas contributed three treys and 19 points. Brito finished with a team-high six rebounds.

Jamal Holden led UTPB with 18 points and Erik Martin finished with a team-high seven rebounds.